The task of renewing Sydney’s civil society has been undertaken by the first non-political force of its kind in Australia. Mirroring overseas coalition London Citizens, the Sydney Alliance joins community groups, unions, universities and religious organisations to counter the influence of money over politics and boost the influence of ordinary people.
London Citizens recently proved the success of grassroots activism by achieving action for living wages, and upon its launch tonight, Sydney Alliance hopes to exert similar change by building strong relationships between organizations.
Coalition Director of the Sydney Alliance Amanda Tattersall is also the lead community organiser, convening approximately 40 different groups. The project began in 2007 when individuals like Amanda began to see the potential of community organising.
“I had been active in community organising in Sydney for a long time,” she said. “I participated in the Reconciliation march across the Harbour Bridge in 2000 but had a feeling that something needed to be changed in the community for all people to have their voices heard.
“I did research in the United States and the United Kingdom and came across community organising, which teaches particular principles about how different organisations can work together for the long term. When I did training in this field I felt like I had found the missing pieces of the puzzle. I came back to Australia and approached Unions NSW to provide initial funding and within six months we had 13 organisations committed to the idea of the Sydney Alliance.”
After running a listing campaign the organisers found three outstanding issues in the community to be a common frustration: public transport, a feeling of social exclusion; and instances of individuals falling through the cracks in society, particularly the elderly.
“We have cast a vision relating to those three questions and we are still meeting with experts and gathering info about what discreet role we can play,” said Amanda. “It’s about bringing people into relationship with each other,” Ms Tattersall said.
“Providing a space where people from different backgrounds can meet so people realise they have more in common.”
The Sydney Alliance has actions planned for November with a transport assembly in Penrith to focus on commuter standards and a better transport system. There are also three assemblies planned next year on creating increased social inclusion.
